HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE >> Julie Hoskins’ business, Chic Le Chef, like many food service businesses in Lake County carried several thousand dollars worth of perishable food inventory. The emergency evacuation caused by the fire resulted in the loss of a great deal of perishable food. Hoskins estimates that she lost about $8,000 in inventory after evacuating. She also had to clean up the restaurant and rid it of the smoke damage after the fire.
Several employees have been helping out on a volunteer basis until Hoskins can get back in operation and start generating cash flow again. Through the generosity of many including Adamson Ranch, who offered fresh produce and the Clearlake American Legion Hall, who allowed Chic Le Chef to use their kitchen free of charge, Hoskins has been able to begin fulfilling her catering commitments again and more importantly keep her employees employed during this difficult time.
“This situation could not wait. We know there are many good people and organizations in our communities who are willing to help, but we couldn’t wait for things to get set up, so we are helping out now, one small business to another,” said Andy Lucas of Community Development Services.
Community Development Services is a small consulting business based in Kelseyville that is working with Federal, State, County, and local organizations to provide financial assistance to businesses impacted by the Valley Fire.
Several resources are available to businesses that have been affected by the recent fires. Business owners must register with FEMA to be eligible for assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers disaster loans to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. In addition, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster even if the business did not have property damage. A business may borrow up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or working capital.
Visit SBA representatives at the Disaster Recovery Center at the Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington Street, Daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339. For more disaster assistance information, or to download applications, visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster.
Survivors with losses are encouraged to register for assistance before going to the disaster recovery center by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Online registration is also available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by using a web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov.
